• Report alleges state capture of superior judiciary• Calls for repeal of 26th, 27th amendments• Favouritism, nepotism cited as major concerns
LAHORE: A new report by the International Federation for Human Rights and one of its member organisations, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, has pointed out widespread and systemic corruption at all levels of Pakistan’s justice system, with grave consequences for human rights.
The 32-page report, titled ‘Under the Bench: Mapping corruption risks in Pakistan’s justice system’, details the multifaceted ways in which corruption, described as endemic throughout Pakistan’s judicial system, has affected the independence and effectiveness of the judiciary and its ability to uphold fair trial rights and protect other fundamental freedoms.
The report suggests there are indications that judicial corruption in Pakistan has reached a systemic scale and may amount to grand corruption.
“This report shows the extent to which corruption has become entrenched in all aspects of the judiciary, and the insidious impacts it has on the enjoyment of human rights. Far from being a victimless crime, corruption in the judiciary has demonstrably curtailed the right to fair trial, particularly for the most vulnerable, such as minorities,” said FIDH Secretary General Shahindha Ismail.
